Peek- A-Boo, I See You!

Vintage, Simple, Chic, Nautical, Colorful, 

Family Friendly, Thrifty

I am busting at the seams as I write this today. Literally.  I will probably have to put a bathing suit on next month.  The very thought is making me drink spinach and fruit smoothies.  Twice a day. Have you tried those? And taking boot camp classes  at the gym from a chick that has the word ARMY printed across her t-shirt and blonde spiked hair. My days are numbered...

Okay. Back to the REAL reason for why we are here.  The hubs and I have been busy getting the BEACH HOUSE ready for summer.  I have DUG DEEP  and SHOPPED WIDE, looking for vintage chic pieces, but staying within a budget.  

As we all know, or are learning--life is about the moments.  These are the little VISUAL MOMENTS that I'm enjoying right now.  We are close, but still have some work to do.  I will be posting many "before and after's", but this is just a taste.

Here's a little peek at the kiddos room...

I am obsessed with this Nautical School House light!  

The shade is a random sheet I found and made into a no-sew roman shade. You won't believe this transformation!  As soon as everything is done, I will share it.

Pharmacy lamps are on the LOVE LIST too.

Here's our  tutorial on how to paint knotty pine--

What a difference!

A fresh coat of paint for the front door tells a new chapter for this house.  I originally thought it would be painted a light faint yellow, but the classic black won my heart again. Who knows, maybe I'll change it again...  Here are my tips on how to get a shiny black front door.

Unpacking my moms antique Milk glass Collection...

Two vintage globes dug out of a junk pit, sit proudly atop this built-in corner cabinet.  It's like they were made for each other.

The current Sunroom paint color is the faintest blue green chosen by the previous owners.  I am still undecided on what color to paint this room.  It is an extension off of the kitchen and I have a feeling, it will be the heart of this home.

The chairs are from Target's Threshold Collection.

Even the glassware has a classic vintage feel.  Perhaps an "Enjoy Diet Coke" glass would be better suit me....

The little bitty bathroom has a new look too...

 I am really excited about the light fixture in here. I guess you'll have to wait and see...

We recently received a very thoughtful gift from our friends, The Sullivan's.  

Isn't it awesome?!

What do you think?  Any suggestions for the Sunroom paint color? Are you excited to see the "before and after's"? Have you too tried the spinach and fruit smoothie?

From my HOUSE to your HOUSE, HAPPY HUNTING!

Holly

Are you looking for ideas to add to your decor?  Are you stuck in a rut and need some fresh ideas? Let me HUNT for you!  Email me at HousebyHolly@yahoo.com for a consult.
To follow my posts, join me on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/HouseByHolly

You can also follow me on HOUZZ.COM and Pinterest.

If you enjoy reading HOUSE by Holly, please click the "like" button at the top of the page for Facebook. Or visit http://www.facebook.com/HouseByHolly and hit "like".  

I will be sharing extra tips and tricks on that Facebook page I created.  

And as always, I love to hear from MY READERS!  Please leave me comments, post projects you have tried and feel free to ask me questions.

Liking to:

Thrifty Decor Chick

Savvy Southern Style

The Shabby Nest

Finding Fabulous {for less}

 

Beach House Progress...

I am here to report some great news...the KITCHEN is officially finished!

I am eagerly waiting for summer to arrive so our family can enjoy this little cottage by the beach.  While we are still busy finishing up some loose ends, here's a little taste of what we have been up to over the winter. 

The Kitchen has had the most work done to it and has been the primary focus.  We have put most of our money into the kitchen and I know it will be worth every  penny. 

Here was the plan:

1. Rip out the existing cabinets and have Lowe's install new cabinetry and granite countertops

2.  Paint the walls ourselves

3. Replace the linoleum floors with pergo flooring ourselves

4. Install ceramic backsplash ourselves

5. Replace all the appliances with new stainless appliances

6. Replace existing light fixtures

Do you remember the "before"? 

It ain't too pretty, is it? 

Outdated cabinetry with a formica countertop, linoleum floor and appliances that have seriously seen better days.

 

I chose heirloom antique white cabinets with an antique glaze.  Because we are going with a "little bit of vintage" look, the antique bronze hardware was no brainer.  

The hubs and I decided to tackle the backsplash ourselves.  

Maybe I see a little house flipping in our future... I honestly think that would be so much fun!

Not too shabby for a couple of amateures, huh?

There is a great sunroom for dining off of the kitchen.  We are planning to take the existing slider out to open the space up more.

Some other news...

Under the carpet in the living room we found hardwood floors...I can not tell you the excitement there.  Hardwoods are essential for beach living.  

We had all the floors in the living room, hallway and bedrooms sanded and refinished. 

Just look at the shine!

 The hubs ripped out the existing shoe moulding and installed this gorgeous baseboard moulding.   It's amazing what a little white paint can do to a room... 

I can almost smell the salty beach air!

Here's the before:

This is how the walls looked before we started.  When my husband asked, "So- what do you think, do you want to buy this house?"  My first thought was,  not so much.  After he promised we could paint the walls, I agreed.  And then we realized how much work this little house was going to be. 

Here is our tutorial on how to paint knotty pine. With a little bit of patience and the right materials you can do it too.

I realize sometimes you just don't have the resources to gut your kitchen.  I've been there and have had to use my imagination and lots of paint, many a time.  If that was the case here, I would have added some box mouldings to the cabinets, painted them and added new hardware.   Sometimes you can fake a good thing and add lots of personality in the process.

  I even contemplated slathering that beast of a fridge in chalkboard paint.  The kids would have loved it!   

 The light above the kitchen sink still needs to be installed and a couple of other things, but we are really excited about the final product.  

What do you think?

Are you looking for ideas to add to your decor?  Are you stuck in a rut and need some fresh ideas? Let me HUNT for you!  Email me at HousebyHolly@yahoo.com for a consult.

From my HOUSE to your HOUSE, HAPPY HUNTING!

Holly

To follow my posts, join me on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/HouseByHolly

You can also follow me on HOUZZ.COM and Pinterest.

If you enjoy reading HOUSE by Holly, please click the "like" button at the top of the page for Facebook. Or visit http://www.facebook.com/HouseByHolly and hit "like".  

I will be sharing extra tips and tricks on that Facebook page I created.  

And as always, I love to hear from MY READERS!  Please leave me comments, post projects you have tried and feel free to ask me questions.

Linking to:
Thrifty Decor Chick

Savvy Southern Style

A SPLASH of Spring

WISHING...WANTING...WAITING... for Spring to come. 

Well that darn little groundhog saw his shadow, so apparently I'll be waiting for about 4 more weeks...

This past summer you may recall reading my post Hitting it from all ANGLES, where I updated the look of my living room for PEANUTS on a random Saturday. 

Here is another layer I added recently with some vibrant spring inspiration.

Fuschia, Lime, Navy & Turquoise!

Just after Christmas I purchased these beautiful tufted club chairs from Overstock.

Complete with nailhead trim and tufts!

White resin canisters are the perfect touch needed to accessorize my mantle.

The turquoise bureau was a steal for $5 at a church tag sale.

Homemade navy and white chevron pillows with a turquoise back drop.

The brass lamp was a find for $10 at Goodwill. The lime damask floral pillows are napkins turned pillows--one of my little sneaky secrets!

I love the POPS of color!

I am on the HUNT for an oil painting with all the colors to put behind the couch.  

Or maybe an updated gallery wall. Stay tuned...

FAMILY friendly with a fresh twist!

While spring may be a few weeks away, you can find me here--sitting by the fireplace.

What do you think?

If you are interested in a room that you will love, let me HUNT for you.  For a consult, email me at HousebyHolly@yahoo.com 

From my HOUSE to your HOUSE, HAPPY HUNTING!

Holly

To follow my posts, join me on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/HouseByHolly

You can also follow me on HOUZZ.COM and Pinterest.

If you enjoy reading HOUSE by Holly, please click the "like" button at the top of the page for Facebook. Or visit http://www.facebook.com/HouseByHolly and hit "like".  

I will be sharing extra tips and tricks on that Facebook page I created.  And as always, I love to hear from MY READERS!  Please leave me comments, post projects you have tried and feel free to ask me questions.

Linking to:

The Shabby Nest

Finding Fabulous {for less}

Savvy Southern Style

Jennifer Rizzo

Thrifty Decor Chic

And the before:

And the before, BEFORE:

REWORK Your Possessions-- A REPURPOSE Inspiration

re·pur·pose  

/rēˈpərpəs/

Verb Adapt for use in a different purpose.

Repurposing is a gift that I have had since I was a little girl. Being an only child, I had to use my imagination...a lot.  Click here to read all about my early years as a repurposer.

The SECRET is as simple as this; use your IMAGINATION.    

Here are some random items that you might have hanging around your house.  Think twice before you kick them to the curb...

A CHALKBOARD from a children's wooden puzzle board:

We all have or have had them.  This one was missing a few pieces and just as it was headed to the garbage, I had a great idea.

Turn it over, paint it with some chalkboard paint and use it for a cheese board!

These come in all shapes and sizes--for more FUN!

An instant CHEESE BOARD!  Now your guests can easily identify your cheeses.

Other uses:

You could leave a note by the phone for a family member...

The kiddos can use it to practice their letters...

or use it for a drinking station or dessert table.

When my cheese board is not in use, it hangs out on a bookshelf in the kitchen with a cute little saying...

A new BAR TRAY from an old piece of art:

This framed picture has been in the tag sale pile for over a year.

By adding a Mr. & Mrs. piece of scrapbook paper, I gave this old picture NEW LIFE.  

A fun way to add a little personality to your bar and serve your guests.  Kinda cute, right?

A NEW TRAY from a broken mirrored tray:

This mirror may have cost me seven years of bad luck,  but with a quick cover-up using wrapping paper and decoupage, it's like it ever happened.

Now, it's back in the game as my "inbox".  
Click here for a  tutorial on how to cover a wing back chair inexpensively.   

A BIG CHALKBOARD from another piece of old artwork:

Flip the artwork over and paint the glass with chalkboard paint.

Or by covering the backing with fabric, you can make your own fabric inspiration board.

Sorry, mine is a little sloppy...

A BEDAZZLED PILLOW from an antique earring or broach:

Super easy and just the right touch to take your pillows to another level.  For some other ideas on using vintage jewelry click here.

Some oldies, but goodies:

 By using coffee filters and tissue paper, I made this stunning string of lights for my daughters room.  Click here for the details and read how to embellish a girls room for under $40.

A VASE from a mason jar:

Mason jars are everywhere.  While a vase is an all-time favorite use, I really like using them as a FROSTY beer mug too.  These little guys have so many uses other than canning your harvest.   

I like to put a pretty ribbon around the mouth to dress it up.  

To read about a horse party on a budget click here.

Must be the "southern" in me... 

Bottoms up!

Another cool idea:

Pre mixed drinks for a party!  So clever!
Source

A Basket turned DOG BED:

Click here to read about Coopers accommodations...

And some of my favorite from the web...

I love how Kristen transformed a brass bowl from Goodwill into a hanging light--

                                  The Hunted Interior

Cassidy makes some super cool chandeliers from reclaimed wood.  Mirrors, barn doors, white washed wood, mosaic wood patterns, are some of the fun ways she builds them.    The possibilities are endless! 

                                                          Urban Chandy

                                                 You can find them on Etsy here.

                                              

And a couple of mirrors made of SPOONS!

                                                              Addicted 2 Decorating

Source

I love this idea of Spray painting JEWELRY!

                                                 a pair-and a spare

What do you think?  Do you have a favorite?  Are you thinking about some of your things in a different way?  

To the imagination in All of us! 

From my HOUSE to your HOUSE, HAPPY HUNTING!

Holly

To follow my posts, join me on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/HouseByHolly

You can also follow me on HOUZZ.COM and Pinterest.

If you enjoy reading HOUSE by Holly, please click the "like" button at the top of the page for Facebook. Or visit http://www.facebook.com/HouseByHolly and hit "like".  

I will be sharing extra tips and tricks on that Facebook page I created.  And as always, I love to hear from MY READERS!  Please leave me comments, post projects you have tried and feel free to ask me questions.

Linking to:

Emily A. Clark

Thrifty Decor Chick

Savvy Southern Style

The Shabby Nest

Finding Fabulous {for less}

Jennifer Rizzo